Strawberry plant variety named ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ particularly characterized by its pink fruit flesh, medium fruit size, and very aromatic fruit, is disclosed.

Latin name: Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ was discovered in Monterey County, Calif. in May of 2012, and originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent ‘148S291’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent ‘88Q179’ (unpatented). A single plant was selected and asexually propagated via stolons in Monterey County, Calif.

‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and underwent further testing at a farm in Monterey County, Calif. for five years (2012 to 2016). The present invention has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons and tissue culture.

‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ exhibits the following distinguishing characteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices in Monterey County, Calif.:

-   -   1. Medium-sized, pink, aromatic fruit with an ovoid shape;     -   2. Upright plant habit;     -   3. Taller plants with wider diameter and medium vigor; and     -   4. Moderate resistance to Botrytis fruit rot.

‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ was selected for its pink (rather than red) fruit flesh, large fruit size, and very aromatic fruit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show fruit of the plant, as well as the flowers and leaves. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are eight months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal cross-sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’.

FIG. 3 illustrates the lower and upper surfaces of the flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’.

FIG. 4A shows the upper surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ with three leaflets.

FIG. 4B shows the lower surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ with three leaflets.

FIG. 5 illustrates the overall plant habit including fruit at various stages of development of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Monterey County, Calif. from 2012 to 2016. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ was taken from plants that were eight months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2007 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘148S291’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary variety ‘88Q179’ (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—34.1 cm.         -   Diameter.—65.6 cm.         -   Number of crowns/plant.—6.         -   Habit.—Upright. -   Terminal leaflets:     -   -   Length.—8.3 cm.         -   Width.—8.0 cm.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.0.         -   Number of teeth/terminal leaflet.—20.         -   Shape of teeth.—Obtuse — serrate to crenate.         -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS NN137A (Greyish olive-green).             Lower surface: RHS 191A (Greyish yellow-green).         -   Shape in cross section.—Concave.         -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Shape.—Obicular.         -   Base shape.—Rounded.         -   Apex descriptor.—Rounded.         -   Margin.—Crenate.         -   Margin profile.—Revolute (margins rolled backwards).         -   Variegation.—Absent. -   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—22.2 cm.         -   Diameter.—3.91 mm.         -   Pose of hairs.—Outwards — horizontal.         -   Color.—RHS 144C (Strong yellow-green).         -   Bract frequency (number present on each petiole).—2. -   Petiolule:     -   -   Length.—7.46 mm.         -   Diameter.—1.90 mm.         -   Color.—RHS 144A (Strong yellow-green). -   Stipule:     -   -   Length.—3.5 cm.         -   Width.—9.87 mm.         -   Stipule anthocyanin coloration.—Present. Color: RHS 70D             (Moderate purplish pink). -   Stolon:     -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—10.         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Present. Color: RHS 162B (Moderate             yellow).         -   Diameter at bract.—0.13 mm. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position relative to foliage.—Level with.         -   Flower diameter.—21.54 mm.         -   Number of flowers per plant.—7.20.         -   Petals.—Shape: Obicular. Apex: Rounded. Base:             Concavo-convex. Margin: Entire. Spacing: Touching to             overlapping. Length: 9.96 mm. Width: 10.25 mm. Length/width             ratio: 1.0. Petal number per flower: 6. Color (upper             surface): RHS N155D (White).         -   Calyx.—Diameter: 32.30 mm. Insertion of calyx: Level. Pose             of calyx segments: Reflexed — upwards.         -   Sepal.—Shape: Elliptical. Apex: Convex. Margin: Entire.             Length: 12.57 mm. Width: 4.47 mm. Sepal number: 13.         -   Receptacle color.—RHS 153C (Strong greenish yellow).         -   Stamen.—Present. Anther color: RHS 17A (Strong             orange-yellow).         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Slightly upwards.         -   Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).—Medium.         -   Flowering interval.—February to October. -   Fruiting truss:     -   -   Length.—25.7 cm.         -   Diameter at base of truss.—3.95 mm.         -   Number of berries per fruiting truss.—6.         -   Attitude at first picking.—Prostrate.         -   Color at base of truss.—RHS 146A (Moderate olive-green). -   Fruit:     -   -   Length.—38.56 mm.         -   Width.—42.01 mm.         -   Length/width ratio.—0.9.         -   Fruit hollow length.—17.34 mm.         -   Fruit hollow width.—7.19 mm.         -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—2.4.         -   Fruit weight.—22.5 g.         -   Predominant fruit shape.—Ovoid.         -   Fruit skin color.—RHS 179B (Moderate red) on top; and RHS             179C (Moderate reddish orange) on underside.         -   Achenes.—Insertion of achenes: Level with surface to above             surface. Coloration (sunward side of berry): RHS 175A             (Moderate reddish brown). Coloration (shaded side of berry):             RHS 145A (Strong yellow-green).         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS N155D (Yellowish             white).         -   Color of core.—RHS 56B (Pale purplish pink).         -   Distribution of flesh color.—Marginal and central.         -   Type of bearing.—Not everbearing — not remontant.         -   Harvest maturity (beginning of fruit ripening when 50% of             plants have ripe fruit).—Early.         -   Harvest interval.—March to October.         -   Production.—1442.83 grams/plant. -   Stress resistance:     -   -   High temperatures.—Moderately susceptible.         -   High soil salt levels.—Susceptible. -   Disease resistance:     -   -   Botrytis fruit rot.—Moderately resistant.         -   Verticillium wilt.—Susceptible.         -   Powdery mildew.—Susceptible.         -   Leather rot.—Susceptible.         -   Xanthomonas fragariae.—Susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

When ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ is compared to the female parent ‘148S291’ (unpatented), ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ produces plants that are more mildew tolerant, and produces fruit that is larger and more aromatic than ‘148S291’. Moreover, ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ produces pink fruit, while ‘148S291’ produces white fruit.

When ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ is compared to the male parent ‘88Q179’ (unpatented), ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ produces a lower yield of fruit that is rounder and less firm that ‘88Q179’. Moreover, ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ produces pink fruit, while ‘88Q179’ produces red fruit.

When ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ is compared to the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawEleven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,731), ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ produces plants that are wider in diameter and have less vigor than ‘DrisStrawEleven’. Additionally, ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ produces pink fruit with an ovoid shape, while ‘DrisStrawEleven’ produces medium-red fruit with a conical shape. Moreover, ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ is more resistant to Botrytis fruit rot than ‘DrisStrawEleven’.

When ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ is compared to the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawFortyFour’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,801), ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ produces plants that are greater in height and diameter than ‘DrisStrawFortyFour’. Additionally, ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ has an upright plant habit and produces pink fruit with an ovoid shape, while ‘DrisStrawFortyFour’ has a globose plant habit and produces dark-red fruit with a conical shape. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ as shown and described herein. 